SALTILLO TO RINGGOLD BARRACKS. 499 
CHAPTER XLII. 
SALTILLO TO RINGGOLD BARRACKS. 
Leave Saltillo—Accident at the start—Enter the Rinconada Pass—A night 
in the defile—Los Muertos—Ampudia’s redoubt—Magnificent scenery 
—Hacienda of the Rinconada—Sierra Mitra—Santa Catarina—Suburbs 
of Monterey—Loma de Independencia—Arrival at Monterey—Pronun- 
ciamentos—Visit the Bishop’s palace—Beautiful valley—The citadel— 
Prosperity of the city—Its climate—Elevation—Departure—Marin— 
Ramos—Carrizitos—Dense chapporal—Miss the road—Cerralvo—Pun- 
tiagudo—Bad road—Mier—Trade for serapes-—Texan Mier Expedition 
—Character of the Rio Grande above Mier—Ascent of a steamboat to 
Loredo—Ancient oyster beds—Rio San Juan—Mexican brigade—Ca- 
margo—Cross the Rio Grande—Arrival at Ringgold Barracks. 
December 10th. As we were not yet out of the reach 
of the Indians, I applied to, and was furnished with 
an escort of ten mounted men by the authorities here, 
who were promptly on the ground at the hour named 
for starting. Our repairs being completed, we left 
Saltillo this morning, but had not proceeded more than 
three or four miles, slowly over a smooth and level 
road, when the wheel of another wagon gave way, 
without any apparent cause. On examination it was 
found that most of the spokes and the rim were broken, 
so that the wheel was utterly ruined. Fortunately, 
we were near Dr. Hewison’s factory, to which I rode 
